Saskatoon Figure Skating Club

During the months of September and January, the SLSSC operates two 8-session Short Learn-to-Skate programs. These are lessons designed to jump-start the beginner skater, ages 4 years and older. Skaters wear their own hockey or figure skates. Credits are given toward regular season group sessions if skaters decide to continue.

The regular season begins in October at the Lions Arena with our indoor Short Track program. There is padding around the boards for safety. Skaters have the option to attend meets held in Saskatoon, across Saskatchewan and beyond as they progress. Short Track Races are mass start and it takes a great deal of agility, speed, and strategy to compete in a race. The races are exciting! A skater is not allowed to bump or push another skater and there are disqualifications when this happens.

For Regular Season Programs skaters are divided into four groups for instruction and training:

Group 1– Learn to Skate: intended for the youngest skaters and those just learning. These skaters can wear hockey skates, figure skates, or speed skates. Sessions take place twice per week, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:50 pm to 6:30 pm. There is also an option to pay for and attend 1 day per week on either Tuesday or Thursday. Sessions are indoor for the full season at the Lions Arena.

Group 2 – Learn to Speed Skate: consists of skaters who have mastered skating backwards, crossovers, stopping. Sessions are held twice per week, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 pm – 7:15 pm . Also with the option to pay for and attend 1 day per week on either Tuesday or Thursday. Sessions are indoor for the full season at the Lions Arena.

Group 3 – Learn to Train: consists of skaters graduating from Group 2 as well as skaters from other disciplines, competent on skates and wanting to give speed skating a try. Sessions take place Tuesday (4:45 pm – 5:50 pm) and Thursday (7:25 pm – 8:30 pm) with an optional Saturday morning session at 7:15 am, along with Group 4. Sessions are indoor October, November, part of December (depending on oval ice conditions) and March. During the long track season (December – February) skaters practice at Clarence Downey Oval – generally three times per week. Off-ice (dryland) training takes place prior to on ice sessions.

Group 4 – Advanced Competitive: consists of skaters competing at a higher level, with many competing on a national level. These skaters practice Tuesday and Thursday evenings as well as Saturday mornings. During the long track season (December – February) skaters practice at Clarence Downey Oval generally 4-5 times per week. Off-ice (dryland) training takes place prior to on ice sessions.